Offensive tackle recruiting is always important, but for 2014 there may not be a more critical position to address for Michigan State. One of the players the staff has identified as a top priority for next year is 6-foot-6, 280-pound Kyle Trout of Lancaster High School in Ohio. SpartanMag.com has the latest on his recruitment.

This past weekend Michigan State fans saw first-hand why offensive tackle recruiting is so critical. Against Notre Dame the Spartans were starting a converted defensive tackle (Dan France) and a player who has had 10 practices since fracturing his ankle a year ago (Skyler Burkland). Starting tackle Fou Fonoti's injury put a spotlight on the fact you can never have enough quality depth at that position.

Head Coach Mark Dantonio has made it clear to his staff that they need to bring players to East Lansing that can help the team be physically dominant no matter who the competition is. For that reason the staff decided to extend an early scholarship to Trout. He talked with us about receiving his Michigan State offer.

"I talked with my Coach Tressel (primary recruiter) and he handed the phone to Coach Dantonio," Trout said. "Coach Dantonio then offered me a scholarship. I am really relieved that I got another Big ten offer. It feels great to be stepping up in the offers. The schools that are offering just keep getting better."

The offer from Michigan State brings Trout's scholarship total to 5. He now holds scholarships from Illinois, Cincinnati, Toledo and Ohio in addition to the Spartans. Other schools that are involved in his recruitment include Ohio State, Wisconsin, Louisville and Michigan.

Trout was in East Lansing this past weekend and was able to take in the game against the Fighting Irish. He talked with is about his thoughts on Michigan State and what he is looking for in a school.

"I liked the atmosphere there at Michigan State," Trout stated. "They did not perform as well as I hoped, but I know for the most part they are a very good team. I still really enjoyed it there. I want to find a school where I really like the coaches and the players. I also want to make sure I am in a system that works for me."

The visit to see Michigan State was Trouts' first time on the campus of Michigan State University. He has actually been to Ohio State several times the past few months as the Buckeyes are only about a 30 minute drive from his hometown. It is very possible that the Buckeyes could be the main competition for his services.

Trout went on to state that as of right now he does not have any other plans to attend any college games. In two weeks the Spartans will host the Ohio State Buckeyes and that might be the time the staff tries to get him back on campus. The Ohio State game is set for a 3:30 kickoff. One of the benefits of a 3:30 PM kickoff as compared to 8:00 PM is it allows the coaches time to speak with recruits after the game and build rapport.

At this point in time Trout indicated that he is not in a rush to make his college choice. When we asked him about a time-table he stated the following.

"I pan on making my decision either early or mid-senior year."

While that date may seem like a long way away, the recruiting calendar seems to continuously be moving forward. Players are being offered earlier than ever before and in order to lock-up a spot at a school of choice they often decide to pull the trigger earlier. The majority of player now days like to have their decision made prior to starting their senior season. Both Ohio State and Michigan State already have the majority of the spots for 2013 filled.

SpartanMag.com will continue to follow-up with Trout in the coming weeks. We fully expect his offer list will continue to expand. If history has shown anything under the direction of Mark Dantonio, it is the fact that an offer from the Spartans usually causes a lot of team to decide whether they are going to step up to the plate or not.

SpartanMag.com's Take:

Having watched Trout's highlight film we can say that he definitely fits what the staff is looking for in a tackle prospect. Not only does he have the size and frame you like to see, but he has an excellent motor and plays to the whistle.